Annual reports

The Path to Prosperity The 2024 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

In this “year of election,” freedom continues to decline globally. Political rights, judicial independence, and checks and balances are eroding. Prosperity growth has slowed, particularly in developing countries. The data underscores a strong link between freedom and prosperity, highlighting the need for data-driven policy reforms.

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2024 Atlas: Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

Twenty leading economists and government officials from eighteen countries contributed to this comprehensive volume, which serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of contemporary governance. 

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Publications

The Freedom and Prosperity Equation

Sep 18, 2023

Scaling up the transatlantic partnership from security to prosperity: Economic resilience in Eastern Europe

By Clara Volintiru, Camelia Crişan, and George Ștefan

Achieving long-term prosperity and stability in Eastern and Central Europe requires strategic engagement by Western allies. Economic resilience is crucial and requires three overlapping lines of effort: increasing European integration; transitioning to a new economic model; and engaging all societal actors in the pursuit of sustainable and shared prosperity.

Eastern Europe European Union

Report

Jun 15, 2023

Prosperity that lasts: The 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes 

By Dan Negrea, Joseph Lemoine

The 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes measure the distribution of freedom and prosperity in 164 countries. The report explores the relationship between the two and identifies global and regional trends over the last twenty-eight years.

Africa Americas

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2023

Tackling food insecurity in Africa will require securing women’s rights. Here are two ways to start.

By James Storen

Policymakers should equalize inheritance rights and support women’s entrepreneurship as ways to enhance food security.

East Africa North & West Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2023

How policymakers should fight for freedom and prosperity in a world of rising autocracy

By Yomna Gaafar, Joseph Lemoine

Researchers unveiled new data at the Atlantic Council that can help policymakers promote democracy and turn the tide of autocratization in regions around the world.

Freedom and Prosperity Politics & Diplomacy

Transcript

Feb 2, 2023

The top threats to the global economy and prosperity in 2023

By Atlantic Council

At the Freedom and Prosperity Research Conference, Fisch talked about the biggest risks to the global economy and thus to poor and marginalized people worldwide.

Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights

Transcript

Feb 2, 2023

Damon Wilson on selling democracy worldwide: It’ll take ‘voices from those in the developing world’

By Atlantic Council

The National Endowment for Democracy president spoke about building the case that democracy is the best pathway for people, prosperity, and the poor.

Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Dec 23, 2022

The Atlantic Council’s 22 greatest hits of 2022

By Frederick Kempe

Our work to help inform policymakers and the public as we craft solutions to the world’s most difficult challenges has never felt more urgent. Here’s the best of our efforts from a tumultuous 2022.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Oct 17, 2022

Stifling the press is stifling progress. Here’s how policymakers can intervene.

By Joseph Lemoine and James Storen

Today’s decline in press freedom is nothing short of dangerous because of its concerning impact on other freedoms—and prosperity—in countries around the world.

Freedom and Prosperity Media

New Atlanticist

Oct 12, 2022

The key to national progress is no longer GDP growth. It’s prosperity.

By Joseph Lemoine

Singular focus on GDP, and its role in shaping economic and political decisions, is outdated. It is time for developed countries to undergo a massive narrative change.

Economy & Business Freedom and Prosperity

New Atlanticist

Sep 22, 2022

Multilateralism needs an overhaul. Here’s where to start.

By Yomna Gaafar

The world is growing more volatile by the day—but leaders are acting within a system ill-equipped to handle the moment.

Economy & Business International Financial Institutions
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Events

Public Event Tue, June 24, 2025 • 3:00 pm ET

2025 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch
Eastern Europe Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Inclusive Growth
Online Event Fri, June 20, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

The societal value of religious freedom: An integral human development approach
Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Flagship Event Wed, March 19, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

Global Prosperity Forum

The Global Prosperity Forum brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars to explore actionable solutions for global development, freedom, democracy, and shared prosperity.
Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity Human Rights Inclusive Growth
Public Event

Women for prosperity Zimbabwe
Africa Women
Public Event Wed, October 9, 2024 • 9:30 am ET

Advancing democracy: A fireside chat on US global leadership and priorities with Assistant Secretary Rand
Democratic Transitions Elections Human Rights Political Reform
Public Event Thu, September 12, 2024 • 2:00 pm ET

Elections under threat: Priorities for 2024, 2025, and beyond
Elections Politics & Diplomacy
Flagship Event Tue, June 25, 2024 • 4:30 pm ET

2024 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes launch

Examining the latest trends in freedom and prosperity among 164 countries around the world.
Freedom and Prosperity
Online Event Tue, June 18, 2024 • 9:00 am ET

Religious freedom and integral human development: A new global platform
Freedom and Prosperity
Public Event Wed, March 20, 2024 • 4:00 pm ET

What is the future of Republican foreign policy?
Democratic Transitions Freedom and Prosperity National Security Politics & Diplomacy
Online Event Tue, February 27, 2024 • 9:30 am ET

2024 Annual Research Conference

Scholars and policymakers from around the world present their research and analysis on international development and the relationship between freedom and prosperity. 
Freedom and Prosperity
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About the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes

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Democracy Pulse

Democracy Pulse

Democracy Pulse breaks down the latest trends and data in democracy and human rights in a succinct shorts series. Available on YouTube and Atlantic Council TV.

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Media

Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party has won the election in Taiwan, and will be inaugurated as Taiwan’s next president on May 20. As his term commences, James Storen breaks down Taiwan’s performance in the Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, examining numerous indicators including political freedom and elections.
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the economic bloc known as BRICS, convened for their annual summit in August. Ahead of the summit, James Storen breaks down the performance of these countries in the 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes. Freedom has declined in all BRICS countries, which has slowed down their progress in achieving prosperity.
An overview of the methodologies and takeaways behind the 2023 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, which measure freedom and prosperity for 164 countries around the world. The annual Freedom and Prosperity Indexes are a primary output of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center.

Explore the data

The Freedom and Prosperity Indexes rank 164 countries around the world according to their levels of freedom and prosperity. Use our award-winning site to explore twenty-nine years of data, compare countries and regions, and examine the sub-indexes and indicators that comprise our indexes.

Explore the indexes

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About the program

The Freedom and Prosperity Center aims to increase the prosperity of the poor and marginalized in developing countries and to explore the nature of the relationship between freedom and prosperity in both developing and developed nations.

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